Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-01-15

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seconG-class matter
Glass negislation-TE, Tariff.
To the editor of the lle1aadriG Gazette:
A wise legisiato, prefers those plans OF
legislation which seek to harmonic the diff
ference in various branches Of human in.
dustry. rather than those which have for
their object the creation of class distinctions,
and which, by implied or expressed inten-
tions. give 10 one trade or branch Of COM
merce advantages oyer another. He finds
nothing so conducive to this feeling, or so
adequate to avoid answers to invitations to
| hasty end incorsiGerate action, IS slow and
careful consideration OF measures presented
fer his acceptance or rejection for ne Is al
ways appreheDsive that hasty legislation
not only begets dissatisfaction, but opens the
!
which be knows is more easily inangureted
than arrested after it is once started. He is
aware, too, that from class Legislation
springs all the evil Of deliberative bodies
and that it allures the mind Of The legisla-
TOR from the common welfare Of his ccnstit-
uents and entices him to use his vote in be.
| hall OF the interest of selfish few.
However obscure law making assembly
NAV be- the duty Of q member OF it is still
that Of an agent or trustee, acting as the
sworn representative Of the interest OF the
whole people, in whose good such ga as
senbly was originated and not the mere
automatom to be swayeG by the specous
promises of any individual or individuals
that, if certain franchises are granted him
or them, great gain will result 10 The body
polite, and upon such superficial induce
| ment 90 into ecstacy over 8 mere promise
or be carried away by representations based
upon the ilatus of o conjecture. Such being
his understanding Of the province Of rep
resentative, he never fails TO deem 1T has pos
| tive duty 10 be careful not 10 vote or eny
measure without FIRST making an intelligent
examination Of it in its every view, Gnd TO
be very cbary not TO vote for those subjects
which are intended 10 benefit special class
without good commensurate with the well
entitled 10 the conservatism Of bis vote, and
he does not give his support to any question
that has not an equal bearing on every va
riety Of the subjects to which it GppertGins,
or yields his assent 10 a legislation beyond
what is common to the duty Of the position
which he holds and bas nc. the sympathy Of
the kindred class Or variety Of The subjects
to which it relates
From this standpoint ne readily appre-
ciates the evil OF class, or special legislations,
as ever likely to inRugurste policy which
is rot only apt to prove unwise as g custom,
and detrimental as Il system, but Injurious
in the extreme as practice, ano. rs pro-
ductive OF chain Of evils too disastrous in
their commercial ard social influence 10 be
even meditated, III view OF the camor with
which each business would demand protec-
ton in the form OF sn G0roi5 act or law, Gun
ningly worded, to conceal its personal or
selfish designs.
Of all the varieties OF class legislation, the
tariff is most furtivs, mendacious ana cor
rupting. Il furtively takes from the earn
ings of the consumer percentage OF his
wages, TO be paid the manufactures in order
to enable him 20 defy competitions; and, by
controlling the market for the article which
he manufactures, compels the consumer 10
nav in markets not controlled by tariff.
The money aggregated TO the manufacturers
by the tariff, gives them power and infiu-
ence to corrupt and control legislation I'M
der the specious and GelusiVe clamor OF pro-
tecting American labor and capital.
The tariff is contrary TO every rule OF po-
iitical economy, for we're g family OF eight
brothers doing business together at different
branches of trade, and two of the eight were
to take from the earnings OF the other six in
order to enhance the profits OF the two, how
long would such an association of the eight
brothers exist? The six brothers thus
would be imposed upon by tariff that
made them pay a percentage OF their wages
to their two brothers, which would be too
feonious and unjust 10 be tolerated for any
length of time; nor could the six brothers
be prevented from rebeling by the subtle,
though atrocious representation that tariff
that benefits meagre minority is a p!otec
ton to the labor and capital Of the majority
who constitute the large buying aud con-
suming class.
Every attribute Of self preservation de-
mands that the consumer be allowed TO eX-
ercise the untrammeled right OF purchasing
where he can buy the cheapest; hut ma
iority of the members of Congress, with
surreptitious pretenses and banditti-like
temerity, declare that this natural and po.
litical right shall be embarrassed by tariff
law in favor OF the manufacturers, while the
consumer, the producer, the farmer and the
man of commercial business are made to pay
part OF their business profits to the manu-
facturer, aUho, in the rules of commerce, j:
but a secondary character; and he with in
solent manner and fraudulent speech, tell:
the members of Congress of the United
States that if they do not pass tariff Law
in his favor, American labor and American
capital cannot be protected.
Most respectfully.